Considering the fact that the most important function of any Tracker is to TRACK things and find them out in case they are really LOST.
We precisely forget this only one most important thing and get lost in jargon like Tile Pro has longer range than AirTag!!!
So in this article “Apple AirTag vs Tile Pro” we will see
- Top 10 differences in between these two most famous trackers that is Apple AirTag vs Tile Pro
- RANGE TEST Results conducted by most famous websites/people and discuss the importance of tracker range.
- Market share of Apple iOS and Google Android in the US : and its importance to choose right tracker
- How Find My network for AirTag works?
- How UWB tracking in AirTag works?
- How Tile Pro integrates with SmartThings for home automation?
Without wasting time lets begin …
1) Top 10 Differences Between Apple AirTag and Tile Pro:
| Feature | Apple AirTag | Tile Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Price as on Dec 2023 | $24 | $23 |
| Check Latest Price | Click to get Price | Click to get Price |
| Platform | iOS only | iOS and Android |
| Find My Network | Apple Find My | Tile network |
| UWB | Yes | No |
| Battery | Replaceable CR2032 | Replaceable CR2032 |
| Range | Up to 300ft | Up to 400ft+ |
| Theft Alert | Free | Pro subscription |
| Smart Home | No | SmartThings |
| Unknown Tracker Alerts | Yes | No |
| Encryption | End-to-end | End-to-end |
| Price | $24 | $23 |
Platform and Network:
- Compatibility:
AirTag only works with Apple devices (iPhones, iPads), while Tile Pro works with both Android and iOS devices. - Find My Network:
AirTag leverages the vast Find My network of millions of Apple devices for better lost item retrieval, while Tile Pro relies on its own smaller network. - Precision Tracking:
AirTag offers precise indoor tracking with UWB on iPhone 11 and later, while Tile Pro lacks UWB capabilities.
Features and Functionality:
- Battery:
Both trackers use replaceable CR2032 batteries, but AirTag offers estimated 1 year replacement intervals compared to Tile Pro’s claimed 1 year lifetime. - Range:
Tile Pro boasts a 400ft+ range compared to AirTag’s estimated 300ft. - Lost & Found Assistance:
AirTag automatically notifies you if separated for several days, while Tile requires a Pro subscription for this feature and offers additional lost & found services. - Smart Home Integration:
Tile Pro integrates with SmartThings for home automation, while AirTag lacks any smart home functionalities.
Privacy and Security:
- Unknown Tracker Alerts:
AirTag warns you if unknown AirTags are near you for a prolonged period, potentially preventing stalking, while Tile lacks this feature. - End-to-End Encryption:
Both use encryption for secure communication, but Apple’s privacy approach might be more reassuring for some users. - Cost:
AirTag is slightly cheaper at $29 than Tile Pro’s $39.99 price tag, but Tile offers subscription plans for additional features.
Choosing the Right Tracker:
- Apple users:
AirTag provides seamless integration, a vast Find My network, strong privacy features, and potentially longer battery life. - Android users:
Tile Pro offers wider compatibility, longer range, smart home integration (with subscription), and lost & found services. - Privacy-conscious users:
AirTag’s unknown tracker alerts and Apple’s privacy focus might be appealing. - Value-conscious users:
AirTag’s lower price point and potentially longer battery life might be an advantage.
Ultimately, the best tracker depends on your individual needs and priorities. Consider your phone platform, desired features, privacy concerns, and budget before making your choice.
2) Apple AirTag vs Tile Pro : Tracker RANGE TEST Results
There’s a wealth of information out there on AirTag vs. Tile Pro range tests, so I’ll provide a selection of different sources to give you a well-rounded picture:
YouTube Tests:
- Techquickie – AirTag vs. Tile Pro & Chipolo One Distance Test: This video shows a real-world outdoor test, with Tile Pro edging out AirTag with a max range of about 600 feet compared to AirTag’s 525 feet.
- The Gadget Show – Apple AirTag vs Tile 2022: This comparison focuses on indoor and outdoor testing, concluding that Tile Pro maintains a stronger connection at longer distances in both environments.
- Mrwhosetheboss – Apple AirTag vs Tile Pro & Chipolo One Range Test: This video features another outdoor test, again showing Tile Pro reaching slightly further, with both trackers struggling at longer distances beyond buildings and obstructions.
Articles and Websites:
- Good Housekeeping – Tile vs. AirTag: Which Bluetooth Tracker Is Best?: This article summarizes various tests and concludes that Tile Pro generally has a better range, but AirTag’s Find My network can be more effective for recovering lost items.
- CNET – AirTag vs. Tile: Which Should You Buy?: CNET also references multiple tests and highlights that the range difference is often negligible in real-world situations, suggesting other factors like platform compatibility and features might be more crucial.
- Tile vs. AirTag: The Ultimate Comparison Guide: This website by Tile itself provides a detailed comparison, including claimed ranges (Tile Pro: 400+ ft, AirTag: 300 ft), but independent tests still offer a more objective perspective.
Key Takeaways:
- While Tile Pro consistently shows a slight edge in range tests, the difference is often within 100-200 feet and might not be a deal-breaker in most situations.
- Obstacles like walls and buildings significantly affect both trackers’ range.
- The Find My network for AirTag offers a distinct advantage for recovering lost items even if the connection drops, while Tile relies on its own smaller network.
Ultimately, the best choice depends on your priorities. If absolute maximum range is crucial, Tile Pro might be the way to go, but if broader device compatibility, privacy features, and network-assisted recovery are more important, AirTag could be a better fit.
2) Apple AirTag vs Tile Pro : Market share of Apple iOS and Google Android in the US
Here’s a table showing the market share of Apple iOS and Google Android in the US, based on data from StatCounter, for the last few years:
| Year | iOS Market Share | Android Market Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 57.92% | 41.66% |
| 2022 | 55.95% | 43.54% |
| 2021 | 59.49% | 40.05% |
| 2020 | 59.46% | 40.15% |
| 2019 | 58.46% | 40.99% |
Key takeaways:
- Apple holds a consistent lead in the US: Apple’s iOS has maintained a market share above 55% for the past five years, indicating its dominance in the US smartphone market.
- Android has a significant presence: However, Android still accounts for over 40% of the market, meaning a sizable portion of US smartphone users rely on the Android platform.
- Stable market dynamics: The market shares have remained relatively stable over the years, with no major shifts indicating a change in the overall trend.
Implications for tracker choice:
- AirTag for Apple users: If you’re an iPhone user, AirTag is the clear choice due to its seamless integration with iOS, the vast Find My network, and privacy features.
- Tile Pro for wider compatibility: If you use Android or have a mixed device household, Tile Pro offers broader compatibility and a larger network than other Android-compatible trackers.
- Consider future plans: If you anticipate switching platforms in the future, consider the implications for your tracker’s compatibility.
Additional considerations:
- Range: Tile Pro generally has a slightly longer range than AirTag, but the difference might not be significant in real-world use.
- Features: AirTag offers precise indoor tracking with UWB (on compatible iPhones), while Tile Pro lacks this feature.
- Privacy: AirTag has stronger privacy features, including unknown tracker alerts.
- Price: AirTag is slightly cheaper than Tile Pro.
I hope this data-driven perspective helps you make an informed decision!
3) Apple AirTag vs Tile Pro : How Find My network for AirTag works?
Here’s a detailed explanation of how the Find My network works for AirTags:
1. AirTag Broadcasts Bluetooth Signal:
- Each AirTag constantly emits a secure Bluetooth signal that can be detected by nearby Apple devices.
- This signal contains a unique identifier for the AirTag, but not its location or any personal information.
2. Nearby Devices Detect and Relay Information:
- Any iPhone, iPad, or Mac running iOS 14.5 or later that comes within range of an AirTag anonymously picks up its Bluetooth signal.
- The device securely relays the AirTag’s identifier and its own approximate location to Apple’s servers, without revealing any information about the device owner.
3. Apple Maps the Location:
- Apple aggregates this information from millions of participating devices to create a virtual map of AirTag locations.
- This map is encrypted and can only be accessed by the owner of the AirTag.
4. You Locate Your AirTag:
- If you’ve lost an AirTag, you can open the Find My app on your iPhone or iCloud.com and see its approximate location on the map.
- If the AirTag is nearby, you can also use Precision Finding (on iPhone 11 or later) to get precise directions and even see its distance and direction right on your screen.
Key Points:
- Encrypted and Anonymous: The entire process is encrypted and designed to protect user privacy. No one, including Apple, can see the location of individual devices or AirTags.
- Vast Network: Apple’s Find My network is massive, with hundreds of millions of participating devices worldwide, increasing the chances of finding lost AirTags even in remote areas.
- No Cellular or Wi-Fi Required: AirTags don’t need their own cellular or Wi-Fi connection. They rely on the Bluetooth signals of other devices to be found.
- Offline Finding: Even if an AirTag is offline (out of Bluetooth range of any device), its last known location will still be displayed on the map, aiding in recovery efforts.
Additional Features:
- Lost Mode: If you’ve misplaced your AirTag, you can put it into Lost Mode. This will trigger a notification to anyone with an iPhone or NFC-capable device who comes near it, helping you get it back.
- Contact Information: You can also choose to add your contact information to Lost Mode, so anyone who finds your AirTag can easily reach you.
4) Apple AirTag vs Tile Pro : How UWB tracking in AirTag works?
Ultra-Wideband (UWB) is a radio technology that AirTags use for precise indoor tracking on iPhone 11 and later models. It offers a significant advantage over traditional Bluetooth for finding items within close proximity, especially indoors where walls and obstacles can interfere with signals.
Here’s how UWB tracking works in AirTags:
- High-precision signals: Unlike Bluetooth, which transmits data packets, UWB sends continuous radio pulses with incredibly short durations (nanoseconds). This allows for much more accurate measurements of distance and direction between devices.
- Spatial awareness: iPhone models with UWB chips can precisely calculate the angle of incoming UWB signals from AirTags. This, combined with distance information, creates a spatial map of the AirTag’s location relative to the iPhone.
- Visual and auditory guidance: The Find My app uses the spatial map to guide you towards the AirTag with arrows on your screen and even haptic feedback vibrations. As you get closer, the arrows become more precise, leading you directly to the item.
Benefits of UWB Tracking:
- Extremely accurate: UWB can pinpoint the location of an AirTag within centimeters, making it perfect for finding items hidden deep within bags, under furniture, or behind walls.
- Faster searching: Compared to Bluetooth, UWB cuts down on the time it takes to locate an AirTag significantly.
- Enhanced indoor tracking: Traditional Bluetooth struggles with obstacles, but UWB can penetrate walls and furniture to help you find your AirTag even in complex environments.
Limitations of UWB Tracking:
- Limited compatibility: Only iPhone 11 and later models currently support UWB tracking for AirTags.
- Battery drain: UWB can consume more battery power than Bluetooth, but AirTags are still designed to last for a year on a single charge.
- Short range: While UWB offers incredible accuracy, its range is generally limited to several meters compared to Bluetooth’s longer range.
Overall, UWB tracking is a powerful addition to AirTags, significantly improving their ability to find lost items indoors. However, it’s important to consider its compatibility limitations and potential battery impact before making a decision.
I hope this explanation clarifies how UWB tracking works in AirTags!
5) Apple AirTag vs Tile Pro : How Tile Pro integrates with SmartThings for home automation?
Tile Pro’s integration with SmartThings, Samsung’s smart home platform, unlocks a few potential automation functions, although it’s not as extensive as some dedicated SmartThings devices. Here’s a breakdown:
Automatic Routines:
- Arrival/Departure Triggers: You can set routines in SmartThings to automate actions based on your Tile Pro’s presence or absence. For example, when your phone with Tile Pro enters your home zone (arriving), it could trigger:
- Turning on lights.
- Adjusting the thermostat.
- Disarming your security system.
- Sending a welcome message to other SmartThings devices.
- Conversely, when you leave with your Tile Pro (departing), the system could switch off lights or lock doors.
Enhanced Location Tracking:
- View Tile Pro location in SmartThings app: You can see the location of your Tile Pro directly within the SmartThings app alongside other connected devices, offering a centralized view of your smart home environment.
- Use SmartThings map for finding: If you misplace your Tile Pro within your home, the SmartThings map might offer some additional visualization compared to the standalone Tile app, potentially aiding in the search.
Limitations:
- Limited functionalities: Compared to other SmartThings devices like smart sensors or switches, Tile Pro’s integration mainly focuses on arrival/departure triggers and location visualization.
- Requires Tile Premium subscription: Access to SmartThings integration requires a Tile Premium subscription, which offers additional features like lost & found assistance and item replacement warranties.
- SmartThings compatibility: This integration only works with the SmartThings platform and not other smart home ecosystems.
Overall, Tile Pro’s integration with SmartThings adds some basic automation possibilities and enhances location awareness within your home environment. However, the functionalities are limited, and it requires a paid subscription. If you’re looking for extensive smart home automation with your Tile Pro, other SmartThings devices or more dedicated smart home systems might be a better fit.
I hope this explanation clarifies how Tile Pro integrates with SmartThings for home automation!